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- Destinations
- Europe
- France
- Provence
- Avignon
Avignon
Situated on the River Rhone, the historic holiday destination of
Avignon is famed for being the Vatican of the 14th century; six
successive Popes resided here from 1309, making it one of Europe's
largest and most important cities of the time. The papacy retreated
back to Rome in 1378, but this was just the beginning of a battle
between the Italian capital and Avignon for control of the Church's
riches and power.
Altogether Avignon was the seat for nine Popes, until the last,
Pope Benedict XIII, fled into self-exile in 1409. Without the Pope,
the city went into a decline that has been exacerbated ever since
by floods, fire, the plague and the Le Mistral, the harsh wind that
whistles down the Rhone valley in winter.
Avignon supposedly was named by the Celts who gave the area the
name 'Avenio' or 'the town of violent winds'. Despite all this,
Avignon has one of the best-preserved centres in France, a strong
holiday attraction. Piercing the skyline are the beautiful spires
of the Palais des Papes, and along the cobbled streets are
countless richly decorated buildings, ancient churches and
spectacular monuments and museums. Imposing medieval walls, built
in 1403 by Pope Benedict, enclose the old town.
The yearly Avignon Festival draws performers and art enthusiasts
from all over France every July. Despite the huge influx of
tourists, which double the town's population of 100,000, this is a
wonderful festival and a must-see for anyone on holiday in the
Avignon area.
Information & Facts
Activities
Avignon is a compact city within fortified walls, so walking
around the town is both easy and rewarding for viewing medieval
architecture, gardens and squares. There are grand cathedrals and
palaces from the Papal era; or for a different perspective, a
particularly interesting neighbourhood is Quartier de La Balance,
once inhabited by gypsies. There are several worthwhile museums,
including the Musée Angladon, which houses art by Van Gogh and
Modigliani.
Language
French is the official language.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can
be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels,
though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major
credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques,
particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not
accepted.
Negatives
Avignon can be overrun with tourists during the festival, which
takes place in July each year.
Night Life
Avignon can be quite lively, though not a slick or trendy
partying hotspot. Dress codes tend toward smart-casual, and bars
stay open quite late. Most nightspots are centred around rue Carnot
and the place du Palais. There are also several good live music
venues to hear French jazz. Pick up a copy of the monthly event
listings guide Rendez-Vous, free from the Avignon Tourist
Office.
Restaurants
Provençal food is famous, and Avignon offers a number of places
to sample its delicacies. The Restaurant l'Orangerie in Place
Jerusalem is offers al fresco dining with a combination of
Provençal and Corsican food in summer, and Terre de Saveur has a
more Mediterranean flavour with good vegetarian options. Restaurant
Christian Etienne enjoys a location next to the Palace of the Popes
and an excellent reputation, but is among the most expensive
eateries in town.
Shopping
The flea market at Place des Carmes is worth visiting on Sunday
mornings, with a range of interesting items. There is also a food
market held Tuesdays through Sundays in Les Halles d'Avignon which
offers cooking classes on Saturday mornings. Popular souvenirs from
Avignon include traditional Provençal fabric, terra cotta pottery,
and locally-made lavender products.
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and
last Sunday in October).